President Joe Biden is set to discuss Ukraine’s potential NATO membership with world leaders at the annual NATO summit this week, and the FDA may take a second-look at a popular energy drink on the market. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Monday, July 10, 2023.
Biden to meet with King Charles ahead of NATO summit
President Biden arrived in Europe for a series of meetings this week, including the annual NATO summit in Lithuania. Ukraine has been heavily lobbying to gain membership into NATO, but ahead of the summit, Biden said it would be premature to allow Ukraine to join.
Biden’s first stop in Europe is England, where he will meet with King Charles III for the first time since his coronation. They are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine.
Biden’s final stop will be in Finland, which joined NATO earlier this year. In addition to Ukraine’s NATO membership, Biden will also be in discussions regarding Sweden joining the alliance at the summit.
Also on the table, Biden’s decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. It’s a move that has been scrutinized because of the threat to civilians. The weapon has been banned by more than 100 countries.
For more on why this weapon is so controversial, read our in-depth report here.
U.S. drones used to kill ISIS leader
The three U.S. drones Russia was accused of harassing over Syria last week were the same drones the U.S. used to carry out an airstrike that killed a top Islamic-State group-leader on Friday, June 7. Usamah al-Muhajir was killed while he was riding a motorcycle in northwestern Syria in an area where the U.S. has carried out other strikes against terrorist leaders.
Appeals court overturns hold on TN gender-affirming care ban
A Tennessee law that bans doctors from providing puberty-blockers or other gender-affirming care for minors can now go into effect immediately. A U.S. appeals court voted 2 to 1 to reverse a lower court’s decision that had blocked the law from going into place while it was being challenged.
The law is part of a wider effort by Republican states looking to ban medical procedures that alter a child’s gender assigned at birth. Federal judges have blocked five laws similar to Tennessee’s from taking effect. Those judges found the laws violated the constitution’s guarantee of equal protection.
Intense flooding disrupts the South, Northeast
Intense storms swept across the U.S. over the weekend. Flash flooding and life-saving water rescues were reported in Oklahoma after heavy rains poured down.
In Orange County, New York, rushing flood waters turned roadways into rushing rapids, and a woman was killed after being swept away. Nearly a foot of rain fell, prompting a state of emergency.
In Norfolk, Connecticut, the rain washed away portions of a bridge. And in Reading, Pennsylvania, drivers on a major highway were left stranded in flood waters as an underpass became impassable.
Farmers Insurance limits home policies in California
Farmers Insurance has announced it will limit new home insurance policies in the state of California. The announcement makes Farmers the latest insurance company to do so due to the high likelihood of wildfires and severe weather events in the state.
State Farm announced last month it would stop writing new policies in California and Allstate made the same decision in late 2022. For many Californians, their home insurance policies have skyrocketed in price within the past few years, or they’re being dropped by their insurance companies completely.
Schumer calls on FDA to look into Prime Energy
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called on the FDA to look into PRIME, an energy drink brand founded by famous influencers Logan Paul and KSI. PRIME’s launch in 2022 was an immediate success among the duo’s millions of predominantly younger followers.
What Sen. Schumer is trying to bring attention to is what’s in the drinks, specifically caffeine. While advertising itself as sugar-free and vegan, PRIME energy drinks contain 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces. That’s equal to six cans of Coke or nearly two Red Bulls.
The high caffeine content has led to bans from some schools in the United Kingdom and Australia. Pediatricians have warned of an increased risk of heart problems, anxiety and digestive issues in kids.
Representatives for PRIME have defended the drink, saying it’s clearly labeled as not recommended for children under 18. They added that PRIME also sells a sports drink, PRIME Hydration, that has no caffeine at all.
